Sunday, July 28, 2013

We are in the grip of a cold wet winter here in Cape Town so I decided a virtual beach holiday was just the ticket. Here are some lovely beachy pictures to get me in the mood. You might be lucky enough to be having a real beach holiday - if not, feel free to join me on my imaginary one.

So as the sun sets on my little dream beach holiday - I bid you adieu and wish you a wonderful week.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Grey must be one of the most useful and versatile colours in decorating.

It is an intermediate colour between black and white, a neutral or achromatic colour, meaning literally a colour "without colour".

There probably isn't a colour that can't be combined with grey.

Despite its popularity in decorating today, it had very humble origins. In antiquity and the Middle Ages, grey was the colour of undyed wool, and was the colour most commonly worn by peasants and the poor. The clothing of women working in the factories and workshops of Paris in the 19th century was usually grey. This gave them the name of "grisettes. "Gris" or grey also meant drunk, and the name "grisette" was also given to the lower class or Parisian prostitutes!.

So grey has come a long way and I think it is here to stay. And there probably are at least fifty shades of it!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

This beautiful home is a renovated flour mill based in the Flemish countryside. The mirror in gilded wood was found at a Brussels flea market and the gorgeous chandelier is Venetian. I love the contrast between the glamour and shimmer of the chandelier and the rough wood of the coffee table and the casual linen slipcover on the sofa.

During the restoration, orangery windows were added to the red brick façade. The barns were transformed with the addition of two square towers with a zinc roof. The landscaped garden, designed by the owners, replaces the corn field that once surrounded the property.

Trellised walkways lined with fruit trees, boxwood carved into a ball, groves of trees, sculptures and cobblestone walkways create a very graphic landscape. The outdoor dining area is furnished with a stone garden table and wicker chairs.

Hushed tones prevail in the living room. The subtle stencil above the fireplace was done by the owner, herself.

The library, custom made around an old fireplace and a nineteenth mirror, also boasts a beautiful chandelier, antique Henry II chairs and reclaimed tiles that look as if they have been there forever.

The kitchen and dining area is a light and bright space with white being the predominant colour. It is situated into the conservatory extension which leads out into the garden. A dining table, found in a hospital in Brussels, also serves as preparation space. The worktop on the island is Belgian blue stone and the beautiful marble and wrought iron table was found in a butchery.

The husband is a real foodie and practices his skills on this large range cooker found in an old convent.

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The dining chairs are LouisXVcanedchairspaintedwhite andsilverand the crystal chandelier was found is a Brussels flea market.

The bedroom is simply furnished. Internal wooden shutters are the only window treatment and wrought iron garden chairs serve as bedside tables.

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The bathroom is a mixture of modern and rustic. The basins are placed on top of an old wooden bench and the mirrors are made from reclaimed wood. The bath is placed in front of a mirror found at a Brussels flea market.

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Wishing you a very happy week ahead. Sadly it is the end of the school holidays so back to school lunches, school lifts, homework and routine. But blogging and the odd glass of wine will get me through!

About Me

I am married with four sons. We live in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Interior decorating and design has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I am also an incurable Francophile, enjoy good food and fine wine (actually any wine is fine with me) and generally living well.